Arsenal moved eight points clear of
Manchester City at the top of the
Premier League table with a comfortable 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon. The Gunners bounced back from the disappointment of their Europa League exit to Sporting Lisbon in midweek with a routine victory over the managerless Eagles, inspired by the brilliance of Bukayo Saka. The
England ace scored two and made another as the Londoners made the most of City being in FA Cup quarter-final action. City booked their place in the semi-finals of the competition on Saturday with a thumping 6-0 win over Championship table-toppers Burnley, meaning they now have a game in hand on Mikel Arteta's side. With the campaign now on pause for the final international break of the season, the start of April will mark the beginning of the final sprint to the finish line. READ MORE: City have finally done what
Pep Guardiola wanted after the
World Cup City have 11 league games left, but also have both the
Champions League and the FA Cup still to deal with. Arsenal, on the flip side, have no other distractions, meaning they can put all of their energy and focus into their ten remaining Premier League fixtures. With that said, the battle for the title promises to make intriguing viewing after the international break. Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at City's next six league fixtures and compared them with Arsenal's. Manchester City - 2nd (61pts)
Liverpool (H) - April 1 Southampton (A) - April 8 Leicester City (H) - April 15
Arsenal (H) - April 26 Fulham (A) - April 30 Leeds United (H) - May 6 Verdict: In many ways, the international break could not have arrived at a worse juncture for City; they have won each of their last six games, scoring 23 goals and conceding just once. They have been at their fluent best and they will be hoping the pause does not disrupt their momentum. Their clash with Liverpool to restart the campaign is a game, in previous years, that has been key in deciding the title race. This year, however, it has much less significance. City, though, will enter it as favourites. Beyond that, with the exception of their humungous meeting with Arsenal on April 26, City's four remaining fixtures within their next six should not present too many difficulties, even though they can ill-afford to take anything for granted. Erling Haaland will be key to Manchester City's title hopes. (Image: Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images.) Arsenal - 1st (68pts) Leeds United (H) - April 1 Liverpool (A) - April 9 West Ham United (A) - April 16 Southampton (H) - April 21 Manchester City (A) - April 26
Chelsea (H) - April 29 Verdict: On paper, Arsenal's next six fixtures do look slightly more difficult than City's. Trips to both Anfield and the Etihad Stadium promise to push Arteta's side to the very maximum of their capabilities, meaning it will be in those two games where they will prove if they are ready to rob City of their crown. Their three upcoming home games, including the clash with
London rivals Chelsea on April 29, look like good opportunities to get nine points on the board. The Gunners boast the best home record in the Premier League so far this season, scooping 35 points from a possible 42. The trip to West Ham United also won't be easy, with the Hammers still in the midst of a relegation battle. Leeds United also have a habit of being capable of making a nuisance of themselves. *All fixtures are subject to change. READ NEXT: All the latest City news, views and transfer updates Vincent Kompany has reminder for City over Champions League plan Erling Haaland has one thing left to do to complete City challenge Why City duo must miss FA Cup semi-final vs Sheffield United City rediscover old tactic at the perfect time